REI Store to Open Next Year at Uline Arena

WASHINGTON, DC—Outdoor retailer REI will open its DC flagship store at the Uline Arena in NoMa in late 2016.

While the retailer has a major presence in the Washington, DC, suburbs, the 51,000-square-foot store will be its first in the District and will be located at the arena's first floor. The top three floors of the project will be converted to 170,000 square feet of commercial office space. There is also room for 20,000 square feet of additional retail space, according to Norman Jemal, principal at Douglas Development.

REI, which stands for Recreational Equipment, Inc., had been studying the DC market for the past 18 months before pulling the trigger on the Uline Arena property, being redeveloped by Douglas Development. Construction on the project began two months ago, according to the Washington Post.

“When I first sett my eyes on the Uline Arena, it just felt so right for REI,” says Rachel Ligtenberg, divisional vice president for retail at REI. “It's the perfect vibrant, active, dense urban environment for us.”

“Our Washington, D.C. flagship will be an immersive experience—much more than a retail store. We think that people in D.C. who love the outdoors want a place where they can come together to dream and scheme about their adventures,” states Jerry Stritzke, REI president and CEO. “This is a big deal for the co-op and our members. A flagship represents the very best of REI—we are thinking expansively about product assortment, educational programming, services, community engagement and sustainable design.”

“More tenants are seeking unique spaces that reflect their business mission,” says Douglas Development's Jemal. “Uline Arena and its history—from hosting the Beatles' first U.S. concert to its popular ice rink and sporting events—were the perfect fit for REI, a company that thrives on experiences and adventure. We look forward to working with REI to create a new destination for Washingtonians who love the outdoors.”  See story in the Washington Post.